King Jammy, Grange, global music fraternity remember Daddy U-Roy

The reggae-loving world awoke Thursday morning to the news of the death of pioneer and innovator, Ewart ‘Daddy U-Roy’ Beckford, the entertainer who took a simple sentence, “Wake the town and tell the people”, and transformed it into a rallying cry guaranteed to inject life into any session.

Since his passing, accolades have been heaped on Daddy U-Roy, with several major news outlets, including BBC, RollingStone, Pitchfork and UK Express reporting on his death.

U-Roy is hailed as the artiste who changed up the dynamics of the music and sound system owner and producer, King Jammy explained to The Gleaner exactly how the acknowledged Godfather changed the game. “The original deejay on sound [systems] never used to talk consistently, them use to say a little thing and stop, but U-Roy come and change all of that with his non-stop talking. Plus, his melody was so good. ‘Cheek-a-bow, cheek-a-bow, cheek-a-bow-wow-wow.’ His style was amazing, and U-Roy chose good topics. Songs like Wear You to the Ball and Tom Drunk but Tom Nuh Fool for Duke Reid were big hits because they connected with the people and what was happening,” Jammy said.

And, also there was U-Roy’s defining accent.

“He had a little accent when he was deejaying which was a bit American, and yuh know how Jamaicans love foreign things,” King Jammy pointed out with a gusty laugh. “Internationally, it also made an impact because people easily understood exactly what he was saying.”

Using words such as “legendary” and “giant”, King Jammy painted a picture of a man whose humility belied his stature, and who was so soft-spoken that “when U-Roy talk yuh have to ask him again what him seh”.

“U-Roy was a great person and a personal friend. He was the selector and deejay on King Tubby’s Sound, and Tubbs (nickname for King Tubby) used to ask me to pick him up. So, I used to ride a Honda 50 bike and go for U-Roy. To this day I remember the licence plate on the bike, B1824,” the legendary sound system owner told The Gleaner.

He said that when U-Roy set up his own Stur Gav sound system, both sounds used to play together without any rivalry. He said it was only last week he saw U-Roy on the Internet doing a special and decided to reach out to him. “When I saw him, I said to my wife, Iris, that U-Roy don’t look so well, but I didn’t know that he was in and out of hospital,” he lamented.

‘Sadly Missed’

“I know he is going to be sadly missed, but his style lives until today,” King Jammy declared.

England-based Paul Scott, a former business manager for King Tubby and the promoter for the upcoming ‘Tribute to King Tubby’ event, told The Gleaner that he spoke to Daddy U-Roy recently. “He called me and I was hopeful that he was ready to confirm that he would be performing on the tribute show. I asked him if he was okay he said he was not feeling well, and would not be able to perform next month, but if anything changed he would call me. We always kept in touch with each other,” Scott said.

In paying tribute to the trailblazer, he said, “Daddy Roy is an icon who worked with King Tubby and brought the DJ to the forefront of reggae music internationally. Rap music owes its roots to U-Roy, they studied this great man who spawned a new genre of musical art form enshrined with the works of the great King Tubby, whose innovative touch created the remix and vocals which is now a billion-dollar industry today. RIP, Daddy U-Roy.”

“I am deeply saddened at news that veteran DJ, U-Roy, has made his transition to a higher order. Daddy U-Roy earned his crown as ‘King of the Dancehall’ for the role he played in pioneering the art of ‘toasting’ on sound system rhythms. His Stur Gav sound system launched the careers of many of reggae’s stars, including Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales and Super Cat,” said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange.

Hailed by Peers

Across social media, artistes and music industry players hailed the Godfather. “I’m saddened to learn of the loss of Daddy U-Roy today. RIP, Reggae Pioneer of Toasting, you’re unforgettable. In this sorrowful time, Team Big Ship extend deepest sympathies to the family and friends of U-Roy,” Big Ship Captain, Freddie McGregor, posted.

Tony Rebel stated, “Rest in power great teacher in our music and culture. We give thanks for your life.”

Dancehall superstar Shaggy posted: “Today we lost one of our heroes!! A true legend in this game of dancehall/reggae. Rest Well daddy Roy!! R.I.P. Walk good.”

Former BBC Radio DJ Rob Da Bank said he was a “toaster extraordinaire” and British musician Ghostpoet tweeted, “RIP U-Roy. They ain’t ready for your toasting in heaven.”

BBC Radio 1Xtra reggae music presenter David Rodigan described U-Roy as “the iconic toaster who changed the paradigm of Jamaican music when he voiced the Version Galore album”.

Dub producer and Ariwa label founder Mad Professor, in a lengthy Instagram post, stated, “What can I say? A very sad moment of transition for the man who inspired Ariwa. Without him, there would be no Ariwa. From I was 15 when I heard Version Galore I wanted to work with U-Roy. And I finally got the chance in 1991 when we met in LA. This is one of the highlights of Ariwa. We last spoke two weeks ago, and he was quite frail, but quite quiet. As we mourn the loss, we have the memories of this amazing talent. We have the stories. Without him there would be no dancehall, no hip hop, no rap, no Afrobeat.”

U-Roy passed away on Wednesday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies, following surgery. He was 79.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com